Key takeaways
- The patent-pending Nip-Nook design places a non-adhesive center over the nipple while keeping adhesive on the outer edges for security.
- Cakes Body offers three styles—Circles, Triangles, and Lift—each priced and designed for specific outfit types and occasions.
- According to Allure's testing, the covers don't slip during all-day wear, remain invisible under most clothing, and come in three sizes.
For anyone who has moved away from traditional bras in favor of comfort, adhesive nipple covers provide a practical alternative for outfits incompatible with bralettes. Cakes Body has introduced a feature in its nipple cover line that distinguishes its products from competitors: a non-adhesive center that keeps the sticky portions away from the nipple itself.
The Nip-Nook Design Innovation
Why the Center Dip Matters
The centerpiece of Cakes Body’s design is the patent-pending Nip-Nook, a small indentation in the middle of each cover. This dip means your actual nipple sits in the non-adhesive space, while the surrounding area maintains the stickiness needed to keep the cover in place. According to Allure’s review, this design consideration makes the removal process significantly easier, since you’re not peeling adhesive directly off sensitive skin.
Relief for Sensitive Skin
For people with sensitive nipples, this innovation addresses a legitimate pain point. Shanna Shipin, Allure’s senior commerce director, shared her experience: after two children and the physical toll of breastfeeding, her nipples had become particularly sensitive. She described previous nipple cover experiences as problematic—adhesive would irritate her skin, cause eczema breakouts, and gradually slide off. With Cakes Body’s non-adhesive center, she found the covers stayed in place all day without causing discomfort or triggering skin reactions.
Shipin also noted appreciation for Cakes’ Grippy Cakes, which feature no adhesive at all and rely purely on grip. However, for those who prefer the security of adhesive backing, the Sticky line with the Nip-Nook design offers a middle ground: coverage and security without direct adhesive contact on sensitive tissue.
Three Styles for Different Occasions
Sticky Cakes Circles
The circular design works as an everyday option for most clothing. According to Allure’s testing, the Circles feature an ideal thickness that provides full coverage without appearing visible at the edges, even when viewed from the side. They excel under thinner and thicker fabrics alike. At $33 per pair, the Circles are positioned as the versatile everyday wear of the line.
Sticky Cakes Triangles
The triangular shape solves a specific styling challenge: low-cut and V-neck tops. Where circular covers would peek out above a plunging neckline, triangles sit flush and hidden. According to Allure’s review, this shape was particularly useful for dresses and tops with daring necklines. Like the Circles, they’re priced at $33 per pair and include the patent-pending Nip-Nook center.
Sticky Cakes Lift
For special occasions or events where added support is desired, Cakes Body offers the Lift style at $38 per pair. This design includes extra material that provides a subtle lift (similar in effect to a light push-up bra, but without the full undergarment). According to Allure’s tester, the first wearing required an adjustment period of about 10 minutes to acclimate to the extra material. After a full day of wear, the cover became practically undetectable. The Lift style works best under high-neckline or non-low-cut tops, where the tab doesn’t risk showing.
Sizing and Color Options
Size Ranges for Sticky Cakes Circles
The Circles come in three sizes. Itty-Bitty measures 3 by 3 inches and fits AA to B cup sizes. OG measures 4 by 4 inches and fits B to DD cups. Plus measures 5 by 5 inches and fits DDD and above. Cakes Body recommends sizing up if you fall between sizes, prioritizing coverage over a snug fit.
The Color Range
Three shades are currently available: Honey, Caramel, and Cocoa. According to Allure’s review, these options work for many skin tones, though the tester noted a gap between Honey and Caramel and wished for an in-between shade. The available colors are designed to blend with various skin tones while still providing the coverage and support the wearer needs.
Real-World Performance
Staying Put Throughout the Day
A primary concern with any nipple cover is whether it remains secure during extended wear. According to Allure’s testing, the Sticky Cakes don’t budge throughout entire days, even when moving and viewed from different angles. The edges remain unnoticeable, which addresses a common frustration with lower-quality alternatives that may be too flimsy to conceal the nipple effectively.
Comparison to Other Brands
Allure’s tester had previously relied on a different brand of nipple covers but found the Cakes line outperformed that option. According to the review, Cakes covers have a thickness described as “Goldilocks-level,” which provides genuine concealment without appearing bulky or uncomfortable.
Removal and Comfort
The patent-pending Nip-Nook design delivers on its promise during removal. Because adhesive doesn’t contact the nipple directly, taking off the covers causes far less irritation or discomfort than traditional designs where the entire surface is sticky. This benefit applies regardless of whether you have sensitive skin or not—it’s simply a more thoughtful approach to the product’s design.
Care Requirements and Longevity
Maintenance Instructions
Cakes Body recommends rinsing the covers in warm water after each wear. According to the tester’s experience, this is the prescribed best practice, though personal consistency may vary. For those not engaging in heavy sweating or intense exercise, covers may remain functional longer than the recommended frequency suggests.
How Long They Last
The brand states that Cakes nipple covers last through at least 10 uses. Allure’s tester reported wearing her pair well beyond this threshold, suggesting the covers are durable over time. Regular rinsing in warm water appears to extend their lifespan.
Who Should Consider Cakes Body Covers
Cakes Body nipple covers appeal to anyone seeking to minimize underwear-related outfit decisions. They work particularly well for people who prefer going braless or wear primarily bralettes, since they offer a seamless alternative for clothing that bralettes can’t accommodate. The covers also benefit those with sensitive skin or previous negative experiences with traditional adhesive covers. For people anticipating life changes such as pregnancy or breastfeeding, Shipin’s endorsement suggests these covers remain a reliable option during those seasons.
Source: Allure
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nip-Nook design?
The patent-pending Nip-Nook is a small indentation in the center of Cakes Body nipple covers. This dip keeps your nipple in a non-adhesive space while the surrounding area maintains the stickiness needed to stay in place, making removal more comfortable.
Which Cakes style should I choose for low-cut tops?
The Sticky Cakes Triangles are designed specifically for low-cut and V-neck tops, where the triangular shape sits flush and hidden. If you prefer the traditional circular shape, Sticky Cakes Circles work well but may peek out above very low necklines.
How long do Cakes nipple covers last?
Cakes Body states that its nipple covers last at least 10 uses. To extend their lifespan, the brand recommends rinsing them in warm water after each wear. According to Allure's tester, covers have remained functional well beyond the minimum.
